Day 1
LONDON - CAMBRIDGE - YORKSHIRE | This unforgettable Europe and Great Britain tour begins today! Meet your tour leader and fellow travellers in London and get ready to travel through the scenic English countryside to Cambridge, a city famed for its impressive university. Admire some of the historical buildings, browse a few of the university museums, and go punting on the river! This is the best way to relax and enjoy the scenery before continuing on to York. An afternoon in York offers a fascinating orientation tour with historic stories and views of fine English architecture. End your day with a group dinner where you will be served a traditional roast dinner at a local restaurant with all the trimmings, including Yorkshire pudding!
Day 2
HADRIAN'S WALL - JEDBURGH - EDINBURGH | Today begins with a visit to the Angel of the North. This striking steel sculpture is 20m tall! Then, move on to Hadrian's Wall, which was built by hand in 122 AD. Jedburgh is your next stop. This city is most notable for its links to historical warfare and royalty. Explore the captivating city, and marvel at the architecture lining the streets. Jedburgh Abbey is a must-see. Finally, sit back and watch the gorgeous Scottish landscapes roll by as you make your way to Scotland's capital city. Once in Edinburgh, your tour leader will take you on an orientation tour and evening drive through this spectacular city. End the day with an included dinner at a local Italian restaurant.
Day 3
EDINBURGH FREE DAY | Today is free to spend as you wish! Edinburgh offers magnificent memorials, architecture, and art galleries. The cobbled streets of the Royal Mile provide an old-town feel to the busy city. Alternatively, sign up for the optional Conquer the Capital excursion with your tour leader. On this tour, you'll travel to Falkirk to see the amazing Kelpies sculptures and enjoy a boat ride. Then, enjoy a guided tour of Edinburgh Castle and wander its historic walls! You'll also enjoy a scenic drive with views of Arthur's Seat and Holyrood Palace before visiting the Scott Memorial and the picturesque Princes Street Gardens. For dinner, there's the option to indulge in a four-course meal along with a traditional Scottish performance!
Day 4
LOCH NESS - SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS | This morning, we're heading to the Scottish Highlands. First stop, Loch Ness! Here, admire the views from the banks of the loch or, enjoy the option of embarking on a 1-hour cruise of Loch Ness, where you can try to spot 'Nessie', the famed Loch Ness Monster! Back on dry land, you can see Britain's highest mountain - Ben Nevis. Later, enjoy a tour of one of Scotland's oldest licensed whisky distilleries in the town of Fort William and taste some authentic Scotch whisky! Before reaching the hotel, stop at the striking glen (deep valley), Glen Coe. This is the place where the Massacre of Glencoe took place in 1692. Dinner will be at your hotel this evening.
Day 5
GRETNA GREEN - LAKE DISTRICT - LIVERPOOL | Today, the coach is bound for Liverpool. This city is the home of The Beatles and two internationally- famed Premier League football clubs! En route, take in the last divine views of the Scottish Highlands from the coach window. Stop over at Gretna Green, a town famous for weddings, and the idyllic English Lake District National Park. Later, arrive in Liverpool and embark on a driving tour. Enjoy free time to explore this evening. The local English pubs offer the perfect setting for a traditional dinner, and there are also numerous locations related to The Beatles to explore. There is also the option to visit the award-winning Beatles Story & Museum and learn more about one of the greatest bands of all time!
Day 6
STRATFORD-UPON-AVON - WALES | Depart Liverpool this morning as the coach travels towards Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare! Here, there's time to explore on your own and see the many locations that hold significance in the life of Shakespeare. There's also the option to join an excursion to the writer's childhood home! Then, it's back on the road and onwards to Wales. Stop along the way to snap a few pictures of a medieval castle! Next, travel to Cardiff, capital city of Wales, where your hotel awaits after an insightful city driving tour with your tour leader. Tonight, enjoy an included dinner with the group.
Day 7
BATH - STONEHENGE - LONDON | The tour makes its way back to London today, with captivating stops along the way! Visit Bath and enjoy a tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you'll get to view some of the most exquisite architecture in Europe. Choose to discover the Roman Baths along with their ancient history on an optional excursion. Then, get ready for a breathtaking trip to Stonehenge! A visit to this prehistoric monument is an opportunity of a lifetime, and we advise that you have your cameras ready. For a closer look at this legendary sight, join the Stonehenge optional excursion. Finally, arrive in Greenwich, London where you'll check into the hotel and have some free time to explore the city.
Day 8
LONDON FREE DAY | After meeting some new travel buddies, hop back on the coach and get ready to travel to continental Europe. Crossing the English channel, arrive in Paris by late afternoon with just enough time to embark on a driving tour of the "City of Lights"! See top sights like the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Tri- omphe and more important landmarks throughout Paris. Once the drive is over, and our cameras are full of photos, the tour group will all enjoy a French meal together. Finally, travel back to the hotel for a restful night before the free day tomorrow.
Day 9
PARIS FREE DAY | Today is free to explore the "City of Love" to your heart's content! Why not join your tour leader for a jam-packed day of exploring on the Paris+ optional? This excursion includes visits to a famous French Perfumery and an authentic macaron shop, a lunch cruise on the River Seine and much more! Then, take in the breathtaking view of the city below from the Montparnasse Observation Deck. More optional excursions are available this evening. Choose to watch a dazzling cabaret show or explore the beautiful streets of the Montmartre area by night!
Day 10
BURGUNDY - SWISS ALPS | Bid Paris au revoir as the tour moves on to the charming French town of Beaune, a UNESCO World Fleritage site and capital of the Burgundy winelands! Enjoy a delightful lunch stop and take this opportunity to try some of the delectable French wine this region is known for. A visit to the stunning Hospices de Beaune is also highly recommended. After lunch, it's time to head into Switzerland. The drive to the Swiss Alps offers gorgeous views all the way into the authentic Swiss mountain village that will be our home for the next two nights. You'll be staying in the popular Jungfrau region, another UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the largest glacier in Europe. Enjoy dinner at the hotel tonight.
Day 11
SWISS ALPS: FREE DAY | Prepare yourself for a day of captivating exploration! The day is yours to experience the Swiss Alps as you wish. Expat Explore highly recommends enjoying the Jungfraujoch optional, one of our most popular excursions, which travels up to the highest train station in Europe! The views of charming Alpine villages and surrounding mountains are truly unbeatable. At the top, play in the year-round snow and discover a magical ice palace carved out of the Jungfrau glacier! Once back in the village, be sure to head into town for Swiss chocolate shopping, and warm up with the option to savour an authentic Swiss fondue this evening.
Day 12
SWISS ALPS - RHINE VALLEY | Leave Switzerland this morning and head to the next beautiful destination - Germany's Rhine Valley! Sit back and enjoy the last views of the Swiss Alps as you drive to Germany. Arrive and embark on a peaceful riverboat cruise along the Rhine River. The Rhine Valley is home to Europe's most concentrated stretch of castles! Admire these castles along with small medieval towns, towering cliffs and surrounding vineyards. Visit a local wine merchant for an included wine tasting, which may include the rare eiswein (ice wine). Travel on to your hotel for an evening at your leisure in the Rhine Valley region.
Day 13
RHINE VALLEY AMSTERDAM | Today, we leave the Rhine Valley behind for the Netherlands! Get ready for some truly authentic Dutch experiences in the countryside. Capture photos of historic windmills, watch a cheese-making demonstration and discover how traditional clogs are made. Afterwards, head to Amsterdam, the vibrant capital of the Netherlands. Enjoy some free time before joining a cruise down the picturesque Amsterdam canals. Your tour leader will point out all landmarks and attractions, as well as enlighten you with facts and insights as you cruise along. Enjoy one last dinner at a local restaurant afterwards. The rest of the evening is free. Discover Amsterdam nightlife in the Dam Square, and make the most of the final evening of the tour.
Day 14
BRUGES - LONDON | Wave goodbye to the Netherlands, our next stop is Bruges in Belgium! This city is famous for its chocolate, waffles, moules et frites and beer, making it the ultimate place for a lunch break. Walk around the town's cobbled streets lined with old-fashioned churches and grand towers. Fill up on great food and some last-minute souvenirs before hopping back onto the coach for the very last leg of the tour. It's back into London for a friendly farewell before we part ways until your next Expat Explore trip!